The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Vista Plaza is one of the few-and-far-between backpacker options in Cienfuegos, a popular city with visitors. Outside the capital of Havana, the choices tend to be "casas particulares" (private houses) renting by the bed rather than by the room, thereby giving single travelers in particular, a budget option. Vista Plaza is in this category.
The Location
The location is fantastic, sitting on the southwest corner of Parque Jose Marti, right in the center of the historic city. Overlooking the park and directly opposite the beautiful Palacio Ferrer, with its blue domed tower and spiral staircase, Vista Plaza is on the corner of Avenida Fifty-Four, just a two-minute walk from the main shopping area, and with a very popular, local pizza shop right next door.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Vista Plaza has just one room of a single and a double bed, making it a three-person dorm. The beds are let separately to single travelers and the room is big, with plenty of space for luggage and a cupboard with drawers and coat hangers for clothes. The windows look out across the road to Palacio Ferrer and the air-conditioning unit sits above these windows. There are extra blankets should you require them. The beds are comfortable with the mattresses on the soft side; and there are two bedside tables, one with a lamp, and two power points by each bed with two more on the wall opposite by the mirror. There is also a small fridge in the room with bottles of water and soft drinks for sale. The room is en suite, and the bathroom is immaculate with a toilet, hand basin, and a shower. Towels, toilet paper, and soap are provided.
Common Spaces
Outside the bedroom, there is a sitting area with five chairs (three of them are rocking chairs) and a TV, and a breakfast area with a dining table, four chairs, and two more rocking chairs. On the roof, there is a basic terrace with a wrought iron table and four chairs for the great view above the park, across from the palace and over the immediate environs of Cienfuegos. All meals can be ordered here, if required, though the price is a little higher than you’ll find out on the street; there are also excursions that can be booked directly with the hostel.
Summary
This is a very good choice run by a friendly and helpful owner, Rosa. She doesn’t speak English, but there are three tourist offices with English speakers just a few minutes’ walk away should you need them. The rooms and the bathroom are exceptionally clean and neat. The only downside is that the area at this corner of the park is a little noisy from very early morning until late at night. Nevertheless, this is one of the very few hostel options in Cienfuegos, so you’ll need to book ahead, particularly in high season. As Rosa does not speak English and the hostel had no sign when we stayed, make sure you have the correct address.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
LondonroadMa
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Dec 8, 2018
Location and Contact
Location
• How to reach us: • Here are the ground transportation options available at the Cienfuegos Jaime Gonzalez International Airport (CFG) in Cuba: • Chartered Shuttle bus: • Most tourists arriving in Cienfuegos by air already have the transfers pre-arranged by a tour operator and included in their vacation package. If it is your case, then when you exit the terminal your Tour Operator representative who will show you, which shuttle bus to board for the transfer to your hotel, will greet you. • Taxi: • Taxis are always available in front of the terminal building. • - From Cienfuegos airport to downtown Cienfuegos: ~ 5 CUC (5-10 minutes) • - From Cienfuegos airport to Playa Rancho Luna: 10-15 CUC (20 minutes) • - From Cienfuegos airport to Trinidad: 55-60 CUC (90 minutes) • Always agree the fare first. • Public Buses: • There are no public buses available at the Cienfugos airport but there is a VIAZUL bus station and an ASTRO bus station in downtown Cienfuegos (reachable by taxi, approximately 4 km from the airport).